MUSKEGON, MI – Thomas Frederick DeVoursney, former president of Shape Corp., has been ordered back to jail for violating his probation by leaving the country on a business trip without permission.

After a hearing Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 20, Muskegon County 14th Circuit Judge Timothy G. Hicks ordered DeVoursney to serve the balance of the 60-day jail sentence Hicks imposed last October for a fiery, high-speed 2011 traffic crash that nearly killed DeVoursney and his passenger. DeVoursney will be eligible for 40 hours per week of work release.

DeVoursney, 55, received credit for 23 days he served in jail earlier. He was released early from his original sentence because of jail overcrowding. Hicks also added 20 hours of community service to DeVoursney's probation requirements and ordered him to pay $250 in court costs.

DeVoursney's underlying conviction was two counts to which he pleaded no contest May 30, 2013: attempted malicious destruction of personal property at least $1,000, a felony, and reckless driving, a misdemeanor.

Police said DeVoursney was driving a sports car, a 2006 Ford GT, at high speed when he crashed around 1:50 p.m. Sept. 18, 2011, on a high-traffic area of East Sternberg Road west of U.S. 31. He lost control, hit a curb and slammed into a utility pole. Both the car and the pole split in half. The car then burst into flames.

DeVoursney managed to free himself from the car before collapsing nearby. Passersby had to pull his passenger and friend, Muskegon physician Dr. Anthony Wilson, out of the passenger's side. Both men were seriously injured at the time.

Blood tests showed no alcohol or illegal substances in his system at the time of the crash.

DeVoursney was president of Shape Corp., a privately owned Grand Haven manufacturer, at the time of the crash. He stepped down from that post in November 2011, according to the company.

John S. Hausman covers courts, prisons, the environment and local government for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at jhausman@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter.